Axle extensions

B

Bob W

Joined
Dec 31, 2000
Messages
17,079
Back story: 4WD F350 with 18" wheels that are from a different year truck with a different offset. As a result, the tires rub on the leaf springs when the steering wheel is cranked, creating a very large turning radius. Also, I don't think it looks as nice with the truck so much wider than the tires.

Love the wheels since they are Ford OEM (just from a different year), and wouldn't spend the $$ on new wheels anyway. Don't want smaller tires either.

Some Jeep-driving friends have recommended axle extensions. They are happy with extensions on their Jeeps, but I've never used them before. Any special concerns or considerations having them on a heavier truck? Materials? Brands/suppliers?

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The parts I'm asking about are actually called wheel spacers?
 
There are a lot of people that have used wheel spacers (extenders) without incident, but I have seen more than a few that resulted in wheels leaving the vehicle at inopportune moments.

Think about the time and money that went into engineering the vehicle and rationale that they must have had for the wheel offset they used. Considering these concepts, I often marvle at the bolt-on abominations I see people using to achieve a look at the risk of performance, comfort and safety. Please proceed with caution.
 
unit said:
Think about the time and money that went into engineering the vehicle and rationale that they must have had for the wheel offset they used.
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I agree. But the original wheel offset went out the window with the original wheels. Whichever previous owner swapped them...
If the newer truck wheels had the same offset as the old ones, I wouldn't even be considering spacers.
 
Bob W said:
I agree. But the original wheel offset went out the window with the original wheels. Whichever previous owner swapped them...
If the newer truck wheels had the same offset as the old ones, I wouldn't even be considering spacers.
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I understand, you inherrited (or purchased) someone else's problem.

It sounds like you have a fairly heavy-duty application, though...and if you intend to use it in a manner consistent with the load ratings of the stock vehicle, you might be very well served to return it to stock. This may be a costly endeavor...and so could the incorrect approach for your needs.

As you know, this is the internet, so you will get lots of advice and recommendations, but probably no one offering the advice has the vested interest that you have in the situation.
 
Well the easiest thing to do it leave it for the next owner, since I'm not in love with the truck anyway (it's not even red). :)
 
Stock wheels are not that hard to find. You might consider that. And the source might be willing to trade even for your wrong wheels so you are both satisfied. I am truck shopping and am turned off by the frequent use of custom wheels with wrong sizes and wrong offset as well as the use of spacers. But such swaps are so popular now that the complete stock wheels (often with near new proper tires mounted) are common on the market.
 
The stock size for my truck, based on the door sticker, is a 16" wheel. It has 18" wheels now, like the new trucks do.
So I think the owner simply got "take-offs" from someone's newer truck. And the newer wheel/axle design has a different offset.

I am truck shopping
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Could I interest you in an overbuilt F350 with the V10, extended cab, and 18" wheels? It has a modest lift kit, cool air intake, and aftermarket chip. It's an '04 with 130,000 miles, so just past the break-in stage. :D

I'd trade straight-up for a bright red V10 crew cab F250. :thumbup:

...and am turned off by the frequent use of custom wheels with wrong sizes and wrong offset as well as the use of spacers.
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I'm happy with the larger wheels and a few other mods that were done. And I'm glad it wasn't me that paid for all of that stuff.
At least they didn't *%$% with the exhaust; I hate that. :grumpy:
 
Box-stock works best for me. And I am looking for a small V8 longbed regular cab. Decent mileage and hauling/towing capability. Unfortunately the majority I am finding have the more popular sedan cabs and short beds. For my use, a F-350 just means hauling around a lot of unneeded weight all of the time. To each his own I suppose.

This F-350 is cool looking but not too practical.

35l7035.jpg


You could always paint it red though.
 
In the 1990s the 'small' trucks like the F150 had the exact same cabs and cargo areas as the F250/350 work trucks. Now they've shrank the F150, both the interior cab space and the cargo capacity, pushing many people who don't actually need work load suspensions into heavier trucks. And you sure as heck don't save much money buying the F150 instead.

Shopping tip: an F350 with added springs is a miserable off-road vehicle. If you can imagine a hard-tail pickup... Ugh.
I'm having the extra springs pulled off the next time it's in for service. I would have done it years ago had I known.

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The Tundra tows like a champ if you get the upgrade V8 engine. :thumbup: It needs a heavier suspension though if there's going to be much weight on the trailer tongue or in the bed.
 
Codger_64 said:
This F-350 is cool looking but not too practical.

35l7035.jpg


You could always paint it red though.
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I don't think that would help with the turning radius. :D

I have seen a few F250/350 crew cabs with full 8-foot beds. Wouldn't want to find parking in the city for one of those.
 
What year/make/model is your truck, its a simple enough thing to find out the correct offset. I'll even look it up for you if you'd like.

Its very possible that you'll just need a thing spacer to get the clearance since it sounds like the truck is still drive-able. If you've got a picture of the wheels or know what year they came off of we'd just compare the offset you have vs what you need and you're golden.
 
The truck is a 2004 F350 supercab.

The original tire and wheel specs are:
LT265/75R16
16X7 OK

What it currently has:
LT275/70R18
The wheels are unmarked but here's a picture: I assumed they are OEMs from a newer model year, but maybe not?

IMG_0145.jpg


This photo shows the offset stance:

IMG_0146.jpg


Just a guestimate, but I'd say they need at least another inch of inside clearance to avoid rubbing the leaf springs.

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Here's an ebay listing that seem to be the same wheels. They describe it as OEM for 2008, 2009, 2010.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F-250-...M-OE-Wheel-Rim-/271959997869?fits=Model:F-250
 
Bob W said:
I don't think that would help with the turning radius. :D

I have seen a few F250/350 crew cabs with full 8-foot beds. Wouldn't want to find parking in the city for one of those.
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The last Ford I owned was a 1991 F-350 CC 4x4 with an 8 ft bed. It didn't turn great, but it wasn't horrible either.
My Dodge actually turns fairly decent for a long pickup. I drive it every day, everywhere. My buddy has an 04 Dodge CC 4x4 with an 8 foot bed and his turns horrible.
I guess that wasn't uncommon in that era of Dodge.

2012%20dodge%20015_zps3cp2iyrd.jpg


2012%20dodge%20018_zps0wqb2amu.jpg
 
I'm not expecting a one-ton truck of any sort to turn like a Honda S2000; I just want to be able to crank the wheel without hitting the leaf spring. And maybe cut down some of the 18-point turns to 6-point turns. :)
 
Looks like you'll need a set of 2" spacers, sounds like whoever put the wheels on cheaped out on spacers. You'll need a 2" spacer to clear the stock studs, you can go with a 1.5" but you'd need to cut the existing studs down.

Up to you if you do steel or aluminium, with something like a 1 ton I'd go for steel ones just in case you ever did overload it.

http://www.wheeladapter.com/single_spacers.php
 
Also on my list of things to do, have the extra springs taken off.
The truck is retired from the gasfields of western Colorado and was perhaps overbuilt for carrying a fuel tank or welder full-time. I mostly drive empty so it's like a hard-tail pickup. :thumbdn:
 
Bob W said:
I'm not expecting a one-ton truck of any sort to turn like a Honda S2000; I just want to be able to crank the wheel without hitting the leaf spring. And maybe cut down some of the 18-point turns to 6-point turns. :)
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:D

Bob W said:
Also on my list of things to do, have the extra springs taken off.
The truck is retired from the gasfields of western Colorado and was perhaps overbuilt for carrying a fuel tank or welder full-time. I mostly drive empty so it's like a hard-tail pickup. :thumbdn:
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When I was younger, I had a few different pickups that were mildly lifted that rode like tanks. I'm too old for that crap now :D
There is a lot to be said for smooth and comfy...
 
338375 said:
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When I was younger, I had a few different pickups that were mildly lifted that rode like tanks. I'm too old for that crap now :D
There is a lot to be said for smooth and comfy...
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That is one reason I am looking for an older, well maintained truck with relatively low milage. The LWB F-150's from circa 1991-99 rode well and were capable of carrying and towing decent loads even with the smaller V8 engines. They were a mid-point in evolution between trucks that were more Spartan and rode like trucks to designs that were more car-like.
 
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